Ukraine: Pole among kidnapped OSCE observers
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
26.04.2014 11:31
Seven observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were kidnapped on Friday near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk.
Armed pro-Russian protesters stand guard near a checkpoint not far from an occupied security service building in Slovyansk, Ukraine, 26 April 2014. . EPA/Roman Pilipe
The incident follows skirmishes between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian soldiers in the city.
The OSCE observers included three Germans, a Dane, a Czech, a Swede and a Pole.
According to Ukraine's interior ministry, the observers were travelling towards the entrance to the city, which is being held by pro-Russian militants.
The OSCE personnel were accompanied by “five representatives of the armed forces of Ukraine,” the ministry said.
Self-styled 'people’s mayor' of Slovyansk Vyacheslav Ponomaryov has claimed that a Ukrainian military intelligence services officer was among the passengers. (nh)